Milwaukee, Oakland Represent Horizon League in College Postseason Festivities
Kobe Mosley
GLENDALE, Ariz. (April 6, 2024) – The Horizon League was well represented in the events leading to the NCAA Men’s Final Four in Phoenix.
On Thursday night, student-athletes from Milwaukee and Oakland participated in the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships. Panthers’ Langston Wilson competed in the King’s Hawaiian Slam Dunk Championship, Golden Grizzlies’ Jack Gohlke contended for the Hanes Originals Soft Touch Men’s 3-Point Championship, and both took part in the Dave’s Hot Chicken Hot Shot Challenge.
Alongside Francis Marion’s Marlow Gilmore and St. John’s Unique Drake, Gohlke and co. won the Dave’s Hot Chicken Hot Shot Challenge without missing a single shot.
Throughout the event, Wilson was enjoying the moment by socializing with his young fans, dancing to music, and cheering on his peers as they competed.
“It’s been amazing,” Wilson answered when asked how to describe his time in Phoenix. “Being out here and being around other players and all these guys — great players, future NCAA Tournament legends — it’s just been a hell of a time and I really appreciate it.”
Wilson, the second Panther in the program’s history to compete in the event, was a defensive stalwart for Milwaukee this season. He finished second on the team and sixth in the Horizon League in blocks with 32.
Gohlke, the League’s leader in three-point field goals (137) this season, has seen his stardom explode on and off the court following his historic performance in Oakland’s NCAA Tournament first round win. With all the newfound opportunities that have come his way, Gohlke has tried to cherish each and every one.
“It’s been crazy, a lot of things have changed,” Gohlke said, as fans continued to file in line to meet him well after the night’s event had concluded. “It’s been so much fun. So many great opportunities like coming out here to meet all these cool people and doing interviews and stuff like that. It’s been so much fun and I’m just trying to soak it all in and just enjoy it because it’s not going to last forever and I’m just treasuring it right now.
The fun continued on Friday for Gohlke, as he was joined by Oakland head coach Greg Kampe and his coaching staff for the Reese’s College All-Star Game. Kampe served as the head coach for the East College All-Stars, allowing him the chance to coach Gohlke one final time.
Following the game, Kampe was able to reflect on the opportunity to represent Oakland and the Horizon League this weekend as well as the past few weeks.
“I hope that we’ve represented everybody in our League the way that we would want to be represented. It’s a special thing — this is the best of basketball and the Horizon League got to be a part of it.”